Red-Speckled Blenny

Cirripectes variolosus

The Red-speckled Blenny is a small reef fish found in the Pacific Ocean, particularly from Palau to the Johnston Islands, and throughout Micronesia. It inhabits coral reefs, often sheltering at the bases or among the branches of Pocilloporid corals. This species typically resides in shallow waters, with a depth range from 0 to 31 meters, although it is most commonly found between 1 and 5 meters. Divers might encounter this fish while exploring exposed seaward reefs. Identifying the Red-speckled Blenny is relatively straightforward due to its distinctive appearance. Adults have a brown body adorned with red spots or narrow lines on the snout and around the eye. The iris is silvery, adding to its unique look. This blenny reaches a maximum length of 8.9 cm and has specific fin and vertebrae counts that differentiate it from similar species. The diet of the Red-speckled Blenny consists primarily of benthic algae, which it grazes on. It is an oviparous species, meaning it lays eggs that are demersal and adhesive, attaching to substrates via a filamentous pad. The larvae are planktonic, often found in shallow coastal waters. According to the IUCN Red List, this species is categorized as Least Concern.